Omega-3 fatty acids may help protect against Alzheimer's disease

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in healthy amounts in fish such as salmon and tuna, appear to help reduce levels of the protein beta-amyloid, a marker for dementia and Alzheimer's disease, in the brain. In a study published online May 2 in the journal Neurology, researchers found that people who ate the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids had the lowest levels of blood beta-amyloid buildup. Higher levels of beta-amyloid are found in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study did not include omega-3 fatty acid supplements.